The New York experience you didn’t know you needed

We’ll be honest – RiseNY isn’t at the top of our must-see list. It’s so subtly tucked into our itinerary of big-name attractions, we almost overlook it. But, it turns out, that spark of Big Apple magic shows up right when you least expect it. 

Billed as a ‘flying theater’ and located in the middle of a neon-lit midtown, it fits right in with the buzz of Broadway and the flashiness of Times Square. Think: a dash of history, a sprinkle of pop culture, some catchy songs, and a dazzling Disney-style ride that sends you soaring over the city’s streets... 

The best bits 

We take that famous Friends photo (minus a few actual friends) 

Who doesn’t love a good photo op? RiseNY is pure Insta-heaven and seeing the plethora of props to pose with makes us feel like kids in a candy store. Naturally we test a few out, starting with the Friends couch and ending with our moment in the spotlight on The Tonight Show.  

We spot Madonna’s jacket and Taylor Swift’s dress 

We assume the props are all replicas until, plot twist, we read the signs! Many of them are the real deal. There’s Madonna’s hand-painted Keith Haring jacket, the guitar Bruce Springsteen used to write ‘Born to Run’, and an Oscar de la Renta dress only Taylor Swift could pull off. 

We tuck into the FREE popcorn 

If there’s one thing that wins us over, it’s a surprise treat. And RiseNY understands the assignment. While heading into the ‘theater’ section for some showtime tunes, there are little bags of cinema-style popcorn to pick up. A small touch that makes RiseNY rise up the ranks of our top NYC experiences. Yes, we are easily impressed and, yes, the popcorn was buttered – the only acceptable kind.

We get a history lesson in a subway station 

New York’s ascent (okay, we’ve stopped using the word rise), from its early days as ’Manahatta’ – as it was once known – to today’s metropolis, is played out on-screen in a fun station simulation. We feel like we’re hopping on a clean and rodent-free subway train and riding through history, complete with realistic rumbling seats. Note – the motion effects really jolt you awake if you’re thinking this is the opportune time for a mid-sightsee snooze. That and the narration by none other than Jeff Goldblum keeps it lively.   

We go behind-the-scenes at the ball drop 

In the penultimate room, we’re greeted by an enthusiastic hostess dressed in 50s attire calling us over for the first-ever televised ball drop. We’re still clutching that popcorn from earlier and, luckily, she doesn’t demand much in the way of audience participation. We’re led into an elevator ride, which is hindered by a storm – it’s all very dramatic – and then we pop into a studio for a behind-the-scenes look at the ball drop. Well, that’s one bucket list item sort of ticked off the list.  

It’s time to, quite literally, rise 

RiseNY’s finale is an epic five-minute ride that manages to capture the grit, glitter, spirit, hopes and dreams of New York City into one montage, complete with a soundtrack that gives us the feels. We’re strapped in (coz safety first!) and lifted slowly into the air, then launched into a handrail-clutching drop down the side of a skyscraper – eliciting actual screams. After that little thrill we settle into a gentle glide over the skyline through the five boroughs and the four seasons.  

There are several mid-swoop surprises: actual water as we hit the Hudson, fog, and scents while gliding over Central Park (grass, nothing sinister) making it all extra impressive. The whole thing is the ‘wait, did that just happen?’ wow moment we weren’t expecting.  

The RiseNY ride, again 

Reader: it was epic. And deserves more than just a single mention!  

Couldn’t. Recommend. More. 

Enjoyed this little slice of New York?

Take your trip to the next level with our complete RiseNY guide, filled with visitor hacks and money-saving tips, and get your culture fix with our art-filled complete guide to visiting MoMA.

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